Atomy Absolute Serum Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Atomy Absolute Serum 107 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Atomy Absolute Serum 107 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSqualane
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAlthaea Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
EmollientOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicPyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Foeniculum Vulgare Leaf Extract
HumectantOligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
HumectantHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Lysine
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Alanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine
Masking
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Histidine
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Pteris Multifida Extract
Antioxidant
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Cordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dextrin
AbsorbentFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Lecithin
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Squalane, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Althaea Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Lactic Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lysine, Palmitic Acid, Alanine, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Proline, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyquaternium-51, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipropylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Panthenol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Raffinose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Fructooligosaccharides, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dextrin, Folic Acid, Ceramide NP, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phospholipids, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Isostearyl Isostearate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Glyceryl Oleate, Ceramide Ng, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Phytosphingosine, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Lecithin
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPCholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPotassium Phosphate is the term for the salts of potassium and phosphate ions. Our bodies naturally create and use potassium phosphate.
In cosmetics, potassium phosphate is used to adjust the pH level of products. Our skin has a natural pH level. Maintaining this pH level is important for our skin barrier. If the skin barrier is disrupted, our skin can experience dehydration and irritation.
This ingredient is used in medicine to help treat low blood levels of phosphorus.
Learn more about Potassium PhosphatePhytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosinePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Atomy Absolute Serum 107 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Atomy Absolute Serum 107 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho
The only retinol my partner's skin can tolerate.
Their skin is extremely reactive and sensitive but this retinol has worked great.
I also use it every other day because I alternate between this retinol and A313.
It works great and is gentle enough to allow me to build tolerance without purging effects (at least on my skin and my partner's)
